Lhong Khao
Tucked along Phuket Road in the heart of Phuket Old Town, Lhong Khao serves a menu rooted in Thai-Chinese cooking — a culinary tradition that runs deep in this part of Phuket. The restaurant draws both locals and international visitors, and its highly consistent reviews point to cooking that holds up across multiple visits and different palates.
The menu leans into fresh seafood and bold flavours, with dishes like crab curry with betel leaves, soft-shell crab, and stir-fried squid in squid ink with herbs appearing frequently in visitor accounts. Vegetarians and vegans are well catered for, with dishes such as tom yum soup, stir-fried tofu, yellow curry, fried rice, and chive cakes available — and staff who are willing to accommodate special dietary requests. Reviewers from food-forward cities have noted that the Thai-Chinese flavour profile here feels genuinely distinct rather than adapted for tourist tastes.
Lhong Khao is open seven days a week from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM, making it a reliable option for lunch or dinner while exploring Phuket Old Town. The central location on Phuket Road is easy to reach on foot from most Old Town accommodations or by a short taxi ride from other parts of the city. Given its popularity, arriving slightly before the main lunch or dinner rush is a reasonable approach to avoid a wait.
Taste more of Phuket
Street-food tours, market visits, and Thai cooking classes near Lhong Khao — a guided way to eat like a local.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Lhong Khao, round out your day in Phuket with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
One of the best meals we’ve had in our 2 weeks in Thailand! We’re from Bay Area, California so we definitely have great Asian food. I would say this place is unique to us with their thai-Chinese flavors. The dishes were unique and flavorful. It was so good we wanted to come back and try more! We ordered expensive proteins like duck, prawn, soft shell crab, and crab rolls. The entire meal was about $40USD for 2 eaters with big appetites, which is a great deal! I’m so happy we stumbled on this place and will recommend it to everyone!
Nice cafe with authentic food of Thailand and some Chinese dishes. Definitely deserves to taste. We ate Crab curry with betel leaves, stir-fried Green beans, stir-fried squid in squid ink with herbs and rolled rice noodle with crab. Worth to taste, at least 1 time.
Great place to try thai food at old Town phuket. As a vegetarian they took care of our special requests for veg food Must try Tom Yum soup Green beans Stir fried Tofu Rice and yellow curry Fried rice
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 430 reviews on Google.
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Lhong Khao: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lhong Khao worth visiting?
Lhong Khao holds a 4.7★ rating from 430 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated restaurants & food in Phuket.
What are the opening hours of Lhong Khao?
Lhong Khao is typically open 11:30-21:30 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Lhong Khao?
The best months to visit Phuket are November – April, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: June – September (rough seas).
Where is Lhong Khao located?
Lhong Khao is at 40 Phuket Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, เมือง Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand, in Phuket. Getting around Phuket: Grab (widely available); Tuk-tuks (fixed routes, negotiate).
Location Info
40 Phuket Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, เมือง Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand+66 98 926 5196Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – April
Avoid: June – September (rough seas)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
24°C – 33°C(75°F – 91°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January
Getting there
Phuket International Airport (HKT) receives direct international flights. Ferries connect from Krabi and Koh Phi Phi.
Getting around
- •Grab (widely available)
- •Tuk-tuks (fixed routes, negotiate)
- •Motorbike rental
- •Airport bus to Phuket Town
- •Ferry & speedboat to nearby islands
Where to stay near Lhong Khao
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Tips for Visiting Restaurants & Food
Learn the Spice Scale
Say 'mai pet' for no spice, 'pet nit noi' for a little spice, or 'pet mak' if you want it Thai-hot. Most cooks will default to a toned-down version for foreigners unless you specify otherwise.
Follow the Crowds
The busiest street stalls are almost always the best — high turnover means fresh ingredients and a recipe that locals vouch for. An empty restaurant at dinner time is a red flag.
Ice Is Safe
Factory-made tube or cylinder ice (used in virtually all restaurants and stalls) is made from purified water and is safe to consume. You don't need to skip the iced Thai tea.
Nearby Places
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Surf & Turf by Soul Kitchen
Intimate fusion dinner spot in Phuket Old Town earning Michelin recognition for its passionate, flavour-forward cooking.
Papazula
A lively bar, restaurant, and live music venue in Phuket Old Town, open daily from noon until midnight.
The Neighbors Cafe
A hostel cafe in Phuket Town's old quarter that runs from breakfast coffee to midnight, six days a week.
Similar Restaurants & Food Across Thailand
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Kodtalay Seafood Buffet Sukhumvit
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Where to stay near Lhong Khao
Find hotels in Phuket on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – April
Avoid: June – September (rough seas)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
24°C – 33°C(75°F – 91°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January
Getting there
Phuket International Airport (HKT) receives direct international flights. Ferries connect from Krabi and Koh Phi Phi.
Getting around
- •Grab (widely available)
- •Tuk-tuks (fixed routes, negotiate)
- •Motorbike rental
- •Airport bus to Phuket Town
- •Ferry & speedboat to nearby islands